February 21, 2008 - Town Bank residents asked Lower Township Council Feb. 20 to be next in line to receive municipal water based on a number of toxic chemicals discovered in homeowners' wells.
“For too many years the people of Town Bank have been pleading for good water,” said resident Bea Cassario.
She said Lower Township Municipal Utilities Authority (MUA) has been aware of water quality problems for years but failed to address the issue.
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Water Contamination, Land Pollution & Hazardous Waste Material are issues families all across America are afflicted with daily.
Friday, February 29, 2008
California family sues Union Pacific rail yard for pollution impact
February 20, 2008 - A Roseville woman and her husband have filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific Railroad, alleging pollution from the company’s J.R. Davis Yard is at fault for the thyroid cancer the woman was diagnosed with last year.
Plaintiffs Malia Benson, 29, and her husband Michael, 30, also allege airborne toxics stemming from the Roseville rail yard have substantially devalued their Fourth Street home, making it virtually impossible to sell.
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Plaintiffs Malia Benson, 29, and her husband Michael, 30, also allege airborne toxics stemming from the Roseville rail yard have substantially devalued their Fourth Street home, making it virtually impossible to sell.
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Tuesday, February 26, 2008
EPA to fund buyout of residents near Tar Creek Superfund site in Oklahoma
February 22, 2008 - U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe revealed a landmark remediation plan Thursday that will provide an automatic funding source to complete the ongoing federal buyout at the Tar Creek Superfund site.
"This announcement marks landmark progress for the people living in the area of the Tar Creek Superfund site," Inhofe said.
"The EPA's latest remediation plan not only addresses necessary cleanup of soil and water contamination from chat piles and wastes at the site, it also announces the completion of voluntary relocation assistance for the residents living in the Tar Creek communities."
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"This announcement marks landmark progress for the people living in the area of the Tar Creek Superfund site," Inhofe said.
"The EPA's latest remediation plan not only addresses necessary cleanup of soil and water contamination from chat piles and wastes at the site, it also announces the completion of voluntary relocation assistance for the residents living in the Tar Creek communities."
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American Environmental Group Offers Health Reports for Your Home
February 21, 2008 - Homebuyers can now request a report of a property that will help them protect their health and investment. American Environmental Group, a premier provider of environmental services in California, announces it now offers the EDR Neighborhood Environmental Report™. This report identifies potential environmental risks on or near a property that may threaten a family’s health or the value of their investment.
Developed by Environmental Data Resources, Inc. (EDR), the leading provider of environmental risk information, the comprehensive and easy to read reports are being offered to meet the growing demand for pre-purchase due diligence. The reports are generated from the largest collection of environmental records in the U.S. and provide important information on known and potential contamination that exists on or in the vicinity of a property.
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Developed by Environmental Data Resources, Inc. (EDR), the leading provider of environmental risk information, the comprehensive and easy to read reports are being offered to meet the growing demand for pre-purchase due diligence. The reports are generated from the largest collection of environmental records in the U.S. and provide important information on known and potential contamination that exists on or in the vicinity of a property.
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Tale of two toxic schools in New Jersey
February 20, 2008 - The issue of children's exposure to toxic chemicals while at schools and day care centers has exploded as a political issue in New Jersey, as a result of several high profile cases reported by media. A series of tragedies across the state have exposed major flaws and breakdowns in DEP's toxic site cleanup program
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Volatile Solvent Found At Alarming Levels In Hamptons, New York Well
February 20, 2008 - Springs resident Robert Morsch walked over to his shower, turned on the knob and waited for the water to get warm. As the steam rose, the sweet and noxious scent of one-propanol, a volatile organic compound, filled the room.
Robert and Irene Morsch live in a scenic nook of East Hampton along Kings Point Road, with Hog Creek running through their backyard, which is a stone’s throw from Gardiner’s Bay. About two months ago, Robert Morsch and his family began to detect the scent of acetone in the steam of their shower. Morsch promptly called the Health Department, and following chemical tests of the well water, found the volatile organic chemical one-propanol in the water at fifty times the safety level designated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
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Robert and Irene Morsch live in a scenic nook of East Hampton along Kings Point Road, with Hog Creek running through their backyard, which is a stone’s throw from Gardiner’s Bay. About two months ago, Robert Morsch and his family began to detect the scent of acetone in the steam of their shower. Morsch promptly called the Health Department, and following chemical tests of the well water, found the volatile organic chemical one-propanol in the water at fifty times the safety level designated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
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Burst pipeline spills 80,000 gallons of heating oil in South Baltimore
February 20, 2008 - A burst pipeline spilled about 80,000 gallons of heating oil into the ground and sewers of Fairfield near Curtis Bay last fall, according to a state geologist.
The previously unreported oil spill came to light after Linda Stewart, proprietor of the Gaslight Tavern, started asking why local manholes were left uncovered.
Stewart says she is concerned about chemical contamination of the ground around her home and business and whether contaminated soils could cause her drinking water to become contaminated. "Both me and my husband have experienced burning eyes after getting out of the shower," she says.
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The previously unreported oil spill came to light after Linda Stewart, proprietor of the Gaslight Tavern, started asking why local manholes were left uncovered.
Stewart says she is concerned about chemical contamination of the ground around her home and business and whether contaminated soils could cause her drinking water to become contaminated. "Both me and my husband have experienced burning eyes after getting out of the shower," she says.
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Tainted groundwater discovered in Torrance, California
February 19, 2008 - Toxic chemicals associated with gasoline production have been found in the groundwater beneath the 2100 block of Del Amo Boulevard in Torrance, officials said Tuesday.
Meanwhile, officials with the Los Angeles County Regional Water Quality Control Board have expanded the scope of an investigation, seeking evidence of possible chemical vapor intrusion to 10 homes in the area.
Those officials said the substances found are carcinogenic, but they do not yet know whether they exist in levels or in places that pose a threat to human health.
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Meanwhile, officials with the Los Angeles County Regional Water Quality Control Board have expanded the scope of an investigation, seeking evidence of possible chemical vapor intrusion to 10 homes in the area.
Those officials said the substances found are carcinogenic, but they do not yet know whether they exist in levels or in places that pose a threat to human health.
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Study links water pollution to cancer in Macomb County Michigan
February 20, 2008 - An unreleased federal report asserts a link between industrial pollution in the Clinton and St. Clair rivers and high cancer rates among the Macomb County population.
The 400-page document prepared for the Centers for Disease Control studied 26 pollution hot spots across the Great Lakes and compared the prevalence of chemical contaminants in the waterways with an array of health problems: infant mortality, coronary heart disease, low birth weight babies and several types of cancer.
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The 400-page document prepared for the Centers for Disease Control studied 26 pollution hot spots across the Great Lakes and compared the prevalence of chemical contaminants in the waterways with an array of health problems: infant mortality, coronary heart disease, low birth weight babies and several types of cancer.
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Wednesday, February 20, 2008
California State law burdens unsuspecting residents with $250,000 cost to clean dump that was closed in 1953
February 18, 2008 - Three dozen frustrated homeowners north of Escondido Country Club want the city or local environmental groups to help them pay for cleaning up the remnants of a defunct trash dump that lies within their middle-class subdivision.
State law requires the homeowners to pay for cleaning up the 2-acre site, even though the dump ceased operations in 1953 -- 30 years before their subdivision was built. The law holds only current owners responsible for cleaning up toxic sites to avoid costly investigations to determine who owned them and who contaminated them.
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State law requires the homeowners to pay for cleaning up the 2-acre site, even though the dump ceased operations in 1953 -- 30 years before their subdivision was built. The law holds only current owners responsible for cleaning up toxic sites to avoid costly investigations to determine who owned them and who contaminated them.
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Monday, February 18, 2008
Water beneath Watertown, Massachusetts preschool is contaminated
February 15, 2008 - Storyville Preschool is sitting on a disposal site.
The Union Street property has recently been classified as a Tier II contaminate site after an environmental agency discovered dry cleaning solvent in the property’s groundwater.
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The Union Street property has recently been classified as a Tier II contaminate site after an environmental agency discovered dry cleaning solvent in the property’s groundwater.
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Nearby contamination has Indiana has residents concerned about their water
February 16, 2008 - Darlene Hendrix didn’t learn until early February that some residences northwest of hers had wells contaminated by perchloroethylene, an industrial solvent.
“It scares me because I’ve got my grandchildren living here. Nobody mentioned anything to us. You really don’t know what you’re drinking,” said Hendrix, who lives on North Fruitridge Avenue. “I just want to make sure everything is OK with our water and that it’s safe.”
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“It scares me because I’ve got my grandchildren living here. Nobody mentioned anything to us. You really don’t know what you’re drinking,” said Hendrix, who lives on North Fruitridge Avenue. “I just want to make sure everything is OK with our water and that it’s safe.”
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Green group spotlights toxic sites in Newark, New Jersey
February 17, 2008 - Neighbors of the crumbling former Pabst brewery in Newark are probably accustomed to the factory's hulking, hollowed-out buildings, which have been undergoing demolition for a few years.
But what might not occur to them and others, according to environmental officials, is that chemicals remain on the site, seeping into the soil or perhaps buried in it, and that asbestos may drift into the air every time a block of concrete is broken off and tossed in a pile of rubble.
Yesterday, a group of about 150 spent the morning touring some of the most environmentally blighted spots in Newark, and learning just how toxic they are.
Neighbors sue over rail yard pollution in Montana
February 15, 2008 - hirty-two neighbors have filed a lawsuit against BNSF Railway over rail yard pollution they say has contaminated and devalued their properties.
The lawsuit, filed Jan. 24 in Lewis and Clark County District Court, alleges that BNSF is responsible for contaminating their yards and homes with diesel fuel, lead and other toxic substances by failing to contain and control hazardous materials at the Helena fueling station.
Many of the plaintiffs live or own property within a few hundred yards of the BNSF fueling station where, the suit alleges, the company dumped thousands of gallons of hazardous contaminants onto the ground. Those contaminants then migrated onto and under the plaintiffs' property, placing their "health, welfare and property values," in "serious jeopardy," according to the suit.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Congressional committee probes killing of Great Lakes cancer report
February 13, 2008 - The U.S. House Committee on Science and Technology is investigating allegations that the nation's top public-health agency has blocked publication of a study that links industrial contaminants to cancer and increased infant mortality in the Great Lakes states.
n 2001, the International Joint Commission, a U.S.-Canadian organization that manages shared waterways and monitors pollution, requested a report that would look at the potential human health impact of environmental contamination in 26 "Areas of Concern" across the Great Lakes.
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n 2001, the International Joint Commission, a U.S.-Canadian organization that manages shared waterways and monitors pollution, requested a report that would look at the potential human health impact of environmental contamination in 26 "Areas of Concern" across the Great Lakes.
The Centers for Disease Control's Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry began work on the study in 2002. The report concentrated on 11 pollutants known to damage human health and was intended to serve as a guide for further epidemiological study.
The committee charges that the report, "Public Health Implications of Hazardous Substances in the Twenty-Six U.S. Great Lakes Areas of Concern," had been peer-reviewed and was ready for release in July 2007 when the CDC abruptly canceled its publication.More . . .
Connecticut forum looks for contaminated sites
February 12, 2008 - Michael Moore of the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency said there may be as many as 262 brownfields in the city because of its industrial past.
Armed with $400,000 in federal Environmental Protection Agency grants to assess different properties, Moore and environmental scientist Amy Czerwonka held a public information forum yesterday at police headquarters.
"There are tons of properties that were once gas stations, auto repair places and dry cleaners," Czerwonka said. "It doesn't mean that these properties have contamination but that they're potential brownfields due to their historic land use.
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Armed with $400,000 in federal Environmental Protection Agency grants to assess different properties, Moore and environmental scientist Amy Czerwonka held a public information forum yesterday at police headquarters.
"There are tons of properties that were once gas stations, auto repair places and dry cleaners," Czerwonka said. "It doesn't mean that these properties have contamination but that they're potential brownfields due to their historic land use.
More . . .
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Hearing on TCE contaminated drinking water in Arizona
February 12, 2008 - The Arizona Corporation Commission will host a special open meeting Wednesday to discuss two TCE contamination incidents.
Commissioner Bill Mundell called for the fact-finding meeting following an incident in mid January, in which Arizona American imposed a three-day ban telling its customers not to use their tap water for drinking and preparing food.
The ban was in response to an incident in which concentrations of TCE, or trichloroethylene, exceeded federal standards by four times.
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Commissioner Bill Mundell called for the fact-finding meeting following an incident in mid January, in which Arizona American imposed a three-day ban telling its customers not to use their tap water for drinking and preparing food.
The ban was in response to an incident in which concentrations of TCE, or trichloroethylene, exceeded federal standards by four times.
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Doubts persist about safety of Superfund site in Wildwood Missouri
February 12, 2008 - Today, the land has been declared safe, and a developer is ready to build 23 homes within the boundaries of the site. It would be the first subdivision to be developed on a Superfund site in Missouri.
A groundswell of opposition, however, persuaded the city to temporarily halt the project in December and to re-evaluate whether the land poses any danger.
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A groundswell of opposition, however, persuaded the city to temporarily halt the project in December and to re-evaluate whether the land poses any danger.
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Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Residents of formerly contaminated area in New Jersey still waiting for DEP clearance to sell their homes
February 8, 2008 - A homeowner living near the former Keystone Metal Finishing plant on Humboldt Street has complained to the Town Council that she and her neighbors have yet to receive promised "clean bill of health" letters from the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that would enable them to sell their homes.
Their neighborhood became a touchstone of controversy a decade ago when it was discovered that contamination from the old plant had reached neighboring properties.
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Their neighborhood became a touchstone of controversy a decade ago when it was discovered that contamination from the old plant had reached neighboring properties.
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Toxic cleanup fund empty; Michigan DEQ may seek statewide bond
February 8, 2008 - The state Department of Environmental Quality has run out of money for toxic site cleanups and brownfield redevelopment projects.
Thousands of contaminated sites in the Saginaw Bay area and elsewhere will sit unaddressed until a new funding source is found, said DEQ Director Steven E. Chester.
"That's not good for public health and the environment and municipalities that want to reinvigorate contaminated areas in their community," Chester said.
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Thousands of contaminated sites in the Saginaw Bay area and elsewhere will sit unaddressed until a new funding source is found, said DEQ Director Steven E. Chester.
"That's not good for public health and the environment and municipalities that want to reinvigorate contaminated areas in their community," Chester said.
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Center for Public Integrity posts portions disturbing—and purportedly suppressed—government report about environmental contamination
February 7, 2008 - The investigative group Center for Public Integrity this morning posted bootlegged portions of what appears to be a disturbing—and purportedly suppressed—government report about environmental contamination across the Great Lakes region. Six years in the making, the report assesses evidence of health-threatening contamination in 26 "areas of concern" covering parts of eight states, and it links contamination in many of those areas to high rates of infant mortality, other infant health problems, and adult malignancies, including breast, colon, and lung cancers.
The scientific evidence supporting those links is only circumstantial—the report describes geographic patterns of contamination and disease but explicitly makes no claims about causes or effects. Nevertheless, the number of people who might be at risk is staggering: The 54 affected counties have more than 9 million residents, including 230,000 whom the report deems particularly "vulnerable."
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The scientific evidence supporting those links is only circumstantial—the report describes geographic patterns of contamination and disease but explicitly makes no claims about causes or effects. Nevertheless, the number of people who might be at risk is staggering: The 54 affected counties have more than 9 million residents, including 230,000 whom the report deems particularly "vulnerable."
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18 years later cleanup planned for Texas Superfund site
February 8, 2008 - Eighteen years after a toxic waste plume was found seeping into the groundwater near Levelland, federal officials have released a proposed cleanup plan for the site.
One of just a few Superfund sites in the Texas Panhandle and South Plains region, the Hockley County groundwater plume captured the attention of federal officials due to the severity of the contamination and proximity to public water sources.
"In this case, you have a pretty widespread effect on the Ogallala Aquifer," said Vince Malott, a remedial project manager with the EPA who is overseeing the site.
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One of just a few Superfund sites in the Texas Panhandle and South Plains region, the Hockley County groundwater plume captured the attention of federal officials due to the severity of the contamination and proximity to public water sources.
"In this case, you have a pretty widespread effect on the Ogallala Aquifer," said Vince Malott, a remedial project manager with the EPA who is overseeing the site.
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Monday, February 11, 2008
Heating oil tanks endanger drinking water in Maine
February 8, 2008 - Maine's ample lakes and aquifers provide plenty of clean surface and groundwater. There's so much that Mainers may take clean water supplies for granted. Yet, like New York City and many other states, run-off pollution from sprawling development is a common risk to those supplies.
Among contaminants likely to cause problems, the most prevalent is home heating fuel oil leaks from above ground storage tanks (AST) -- an average of 1.4 spills per day.
There are 27 public drinking water supplies with at least one AST oil facility (not including home heating oil tanks) within the so-called public wellhead protection area. Another 157 supplies have ASTs within 1,000 feet of a public well. Many more ASTs are located in close proximity to private wells.
The risks to drinking water are as staggering as the costs for remediation are high.
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Among contaminants likely to cause problems, the most prevalent is home heating fuel oil leaks from above ground storage tanks (AST) -- an average of 1.4 spills per day.
There are 27 public drinking water supplies with at least one AST oil facility (not including home heating oil tanks) within the so-called public wellhead protection area. Another 157 supplies have ASTs within 1,000 feet of a public well. Many more ASTs are located in close proximity to private wells.
The risks to drinking water are as staggering as the costs for remediation are high.
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New York State Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan Wants State to Make Info on Toxic Sites Available to Residents
February 7, 2008 - State Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan (D-Ridgewood) is calling on the state to better inform borough communities about potentially toxic neighborhood sites following the recent discovery of contamination beneath the former Swingline factory in Long Island City.
Nolan said the state's Department of Environmental Conservation typically issues fact sheets about the investigation and clean-up of toxic sites in Queens but was concerned that most borough residents were not aware of their existence.
"The bottom line is, if I were living in or near a building where toxic waste was found, I would want to know immediately what the consequences were for my family and what the state planned to do to protect me," she said. "It is imperative that we go beyond fact sheets and really publicize this information in a responsible manner."
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Nolan said the state's Department of Environmental Conservation typically issues fact sheets about the investigation and clean-up of toxic sites in Queens but was concerned that most borough residents were not aware of their existence.
"The bottom line is, if I were living in or near a building where toxic waste was found, I would want to know immediately what the consequences were for my family and what the state planned to do to protect me," she said. "It is imperative that we go beyond fact sheets and really publicize this information in a responsible manner."
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Friday, February 8, 2008
Tainted wells have Indiana residents concerned
February 6, 2008 - Dawn Langer operates a day care at 3723 Plum St., across Lost Creek and south of some homes that have shown well water contamination on Terre Haute’s north side.
She stopped serving children well water as soon as she learned about an issue with groundwater contamination, and on Wednesday, she had her well privately tested.
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She stopped serving children well water as soon as she learned about an issue with groundwater contamination, and on Wednesday, she had her well privately tested.
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Neighbors of contaminated industrial site in York South Carolina worried about the safety of their well water and families' health
February 7, 2008 - Despite reassurances from environmental control officials, neighbors of a contaminated industrial site in York are worried about the safety of their well water and families' health.
Both deep and shallow groundwater have been contaminated, as well as soil under the building, DHEC project manager Angie Jones said.
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Both deep and shallow groundwater have been contaminated, as well as soil under the building, DHEC project manager Angie Jones said.
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Thursday, February 7, 2008
More New York property owners join contamination lawsuit against IBM
February 6, 2008 - A second wave of legal claims seeking damages from IBM Corp. related to pollution in Endicott has been filed in state Supreme Court in Binghamton, bringing the total to more than 240 plaintiffs with more on the way.
The 82-page document representing 151 property owners and residents was filed electronically late Friday afternoon by Philip Johnson, an attorney with the Vestal law firm of Levene Gouldin & Thompson. Johnson is part of a team of seven law firms representing more than 1,000 clients in the massive toxic tort case against IBM seeking more than $100 million in damages for a range of hardships related to the pollution. They include cancer and other illnesses, property devaluation, loss of business, medical expenses and related monitoring, and hassles of dealing with the pollution.
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The 82-page document representing 151 property owners and residents was filed electronically late Friday afternoon by Philip Johnson, an attorney with the Vestal law firm of Levene Gouldin & Thompson. Johnson is part of a team of seven law firms representing more than 1,000 clients in the massive toxic tort case against IBM seeking more than $100 million in damages for a range of hardships related to the pollution. They include cancer and other illnesses, property devaluation, loss of business, medical expenses and related monitoring, and hassles of dealing with the pollution.
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Ongoing oil release in Shenandoah Pennsylvania
February 6, 2008 - Work began Tuesday to install an off-site monitoring well to determine if an ongoing oil release is affecting ground water or soil.
“This has been going on for several years and DEP requested an off-site well,” Olives said. “Levels were found to be slightly elevated and we are taking a look at the problem to ensure it is not coming from our site.”
“We believe there are underground storage tanks on the property and we are working to determine if there could be a potential problem,” Mark Carmon, DEP community relations spokesman, said. “There is no cause for concern that we are aware of at this point.”
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“This has been going on for several years and DEP requested an off-site well,” Olives said. “Levels were found to be slightly elevated and we are taking a look at the problem to ensure it is not coming from our site.”
“We believe there are underground storage tanks on the property and we are working to determine if there could be a potential problem,” Mark Carmon, DEP community relations spokesman, said. “There is no cause for concern that we are aware of at this point.”
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Real Estate Agents to learn about contamination issues as part of Certified Neighborhood Specialist designation
February 6, 2008 - Environmental Data Resources,Inc. (EDR), the leading provider of U.S. environmental risk information,today announced its relationship with the RealtyU(R) Group to providecontent regarding environmental issues and their importance as part of theCertified Neighborhood Specialist designation for real estate agents.
RealtyU(R) offers educational services to an estimated one-in-five realestate professionals every year. In 2007 the Certified NeighborhoodSpecialist (CNS) program was created to help real estate agents across theU.S. become experts of their chosen areas to better serve homebuyers andsellers with community specific issues, local builder information,demographics, and future building projects, among other topics.
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RealtyU(R) offers educational services to an estimated one-in-five realestate professionals every year. In 2007 the Certified NeighborhoodSpecialist (CNS) program was created to help real estate agents across theU.S. become experts of their chosen areas to better serve homebuyers andsellers with community specific issues, local builder information,demographics, and future building projects, among other topics.
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Contaminated wells lead Indiana city to hire attorney
February 6, 2008 - The Terre Haute City Council has hired attorney Bill Drummy to assist with its continuing investigation of contaminated wells on the city’s north side.
So far, seven residences with wells have tested high for perchloroethylene, an industrial cleaning solvent. That includes two new sites, based on recent water sampling. Also, several of those that tested high previously now show even higher levels of PCE.
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So far, seven residences with wells have tested high for perchloroethylene, an industrial cleaning solvent. That includes two new sites, based on recent water sampling. Also, several of those that tested high previously now show even higher levels of PCE.
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Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Contamination forces New Jersey couple from home
February 4, 2008 - A Burlington County family says they are living a housing nightmare.
They said they were forced to leave their dream home because the land is contaminated with heating oil.
The family said fumes are making them sick at their home on North Carolina Trail in Pemberton. And the well water has been deemed unsafe to drink.
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They said they were forced to leave their dream home because the land is contaminated with heating oil.
The family said fumes are making them sick at their home on North Carolina Trail in Pemberton. And the well water has been deemed unsafe to drink.
More . . .
Monday, February 4, 2008
Group concerned with heightened cancer and chronic illness in two Texas communities looking closely at groundwater contamination
February 3, 2008 - Those concerned with heightened cancer and chronic illness in Zavalla and lakeside communities are looking closely at the possibility of groundwater contamination by Lufkin-area industries sitting on top the recharge zone for the minor aquifer that provides drinking water to these communities.
After water quality is examined, the group known as Concerned Citizens of Zavalla intends to look at potential air pollution and soil contamination. The group agreed water quality was the easiest place to start.
While state and city officials oversee testing, the group is focused on compiling a local database of all cancer cases known in the area based on surveys they have disseminated to the public.
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After water quality is examined, the group known as Concerned Citizens of Zavalla intends to look at potential air pollution and soil contamination. The group agreed water quality was the easiest place to start.
While state and city officials oversee testing, the group is focused on compiling a local database of all cancer cases known in the area based on surveys they have disseminated to the public.
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Montana residents take power companies to court over well contamination and other issues
February 3, 2008 - Black and oily. Orange and brackish. Even slimy.
More than one Colstrip resident used those words to describe well water in their hometown. And they point their fingers at the Colstrip Steam Electric Station, alleging that the plant's discharge ponds are the source of the contamination.
The lawsuit, filed in 2003, was driven by two key complaints. Plaintiffs claim the plant's freshwater source, Castle Rock Lake, has leaked so much that it raised the water level under the town, leading to uneven settling and structural damage.
They also claim that the plant's discharge ponds have also leaked, sending a plume of contamination north of town into the nearby B&R Subdivision, down to the golf course and even into Armell Creek, which drains into the Yellowstone River, 30 miles distant.
More . . .
More than one Colstrip resident used those words to describe well water in their hometown. And they point their fingers at the Colstrip Steam Electric Station, alleging that the plant's discharge ponds are the source of the contamination.
The lawsuit, filed in 2003, was driven by two key complaints. Plaintiffs claim the plant's freshwater source, Castle Rock Lake, has leaked so much that it raised the water level under the town, leading to uneven settling and structural damage.
They also claim that the plant's discharge ponds have also leaked, sending a plume of contamination north of town into the nearby B&R Subdivision, down to the golf course and even into Armell Creek, which drains into the Yellowstone River, 30 miles distant.
More . . .
Pollution notification bill to get another chance in Albany, New York
February 2, 2008 - State lawmakers will again introduce legislation requiring landlords to notify tenants who live in polluted buildings, after similar measures were vetoed by two administrations in 2006 and 2007, the bill's sponsor said.
The latest incarnation of the bill, sponsored by Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, D-Endwell, is being drafted with help from the office of Gov. Eliot Spitzer, Lupardo said Friday. Spitzer supports the intention of the bill but vetoed it last August, saying it was not comprehensive enough and in some instances too vague.
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The latest incarnation of the bill, sponsored by Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, D-Endwell, is being drafted with help from the office of Gov. Eliot Spitzer, Lupardo said Friday. Spitzer supports the intention of the bill but vetoed it last August, saying it was not comprehensive enough and in some instances too vague.
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2.7 million gallons of sewage spill into Richardson Bay in Marin California
February 1, 2008 - SOME 2.7 MILLION gallons of partially treated sewage were accidentally released into Richardson Bay Thursday night after rains overwhelmed a Mill Valley treatment plant when an operator left two pumps off.
The sewage, enough to fill 100 backyard swimming pools, was partially treated, having been filtered of most solids. But it was not disinfected with chlorine, allowing bacteria to float into the bay.
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The sewage, enough to fill 100 backyard swimming pools, was partially treated, having been filtered of most solids. But it was not disinfected with chlorine, allowing bacteria to float into the bay.
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Friday, February 1, 2008
Minnesota homes to be screened for vapor intrusion
January 28, 2008 - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 said today that in-home screenings for chemical vapors that may be rising from ground water in St. Louis Park, Minn., will begin this week. EPA's TAGA (Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzer) bus, a specialized mobile air quality evaluation laboratory, arrived this weekend to assist with the project.
The study area includes approximately 300 properties near the intersection of Highway 7 and Wooddale Avenue.
The study was prompted by the discovery of vapors from volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, in area ground water samples. The VOCs have not affected local drinking water supplies but vapors could potentially rise through soil into buildings through basements and foundation cracks. EPA is working in partnership with St. Louis Park, Hennepin County, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Minnesota Department of Health. The purpose of the study is to thoroughly investigate the situation and confirm that there is no immediate health concern.
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The study area includes approximately 300 properties near the intersection of Highway 7 and Wooddale Avenue.
The study was prompted by the discovery of vapors from volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, in area ground water samples. The VOCs have not affected local drinking water supplies but vapors could potentially rise through soil into buildings through basements and foundation cracks. EPA is working in partnership with St. Louis Park, Hennepin County, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Minnesota Department of Health. The purpose of the study is to thoroughly investigate the situation and confirm that there is no immediate health concern.
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FDA study finds that three quarters of nearly 300 commonly consumed foods and beverages are contaminated with perchlorate
Environmental Working Group: A study published in January 2008 by scientists from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finds that three quarters of nearly 300 commonly consumed foods and beverages are contaminated with perchlorate, a toxic rocket fuel ingredient (Murray et al 2008). EWG analysis of these results finds that the levels of perchlorate in food potentially put the health of millions of children at risk. Two-year-olds appear to be particularly vulnerable because they have graduated to real food and eat substantial amounts relative to their size.
According to FDA's analysis of 285 foods, every day, the average two-year-old will be exposed to more than half of the EPA's safe dose of perchlorate from food alone. Children are also exposed to perchlorate in contaminated tap water, in at least 28 states.
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According to FDA's analysis of 285 foods, every day, the average two-year-old will be exposed to more than half of the EPA's safe dose of perchlorate from food alone. Children are also exposed to perchlorate in contaminated tap water, in at least 28 states.
More . . .
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